Attuquayefio Turns Down Black Stars Job?

GHANAWEB can today confirm that former Black Stars coach Jones Attuquayefio remains active beneath the radar of the Ghana Football Association.

Speaking to GHANAWEB in a telephone interview, the national team coach of Benin confirmed that he held a meeting with the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association Mr. Ben Koufie after helping Benin qualify for the Nations Cup for the first time in that country’s history.

He revealed that their meeting centred on a possible return to the Black Stars who failed to qualify for the Nations Cup for the first time since Ghana football went professional. He said he informed the Chairmen of the GFA that he is currently engaged in preparing the national team of Benin for the Nations Cup and that “no concrete decision can be at this moment” he added.

He lamented the current state of Ghana football but said that there is hope for the future, as he believes: “Ghana has the best U-23 squad on the continent at the moment.” For a coach who treads on toes to make his point and rides roughshod over issues that others would handle with kid gloves, he said until Ghanaian coaches are given the free hand to do their jobs the worth will still be underestimated. Most of the players expected to make the grade for the Ghana U 23 team played under Attuquayefio at the U 17 World Cup in New Zealand in 1999.

Living in a blaze of vindication following his achievement in Benin, in the face of his sacking as the Black Stars coach in 2001 he said “if those who where in the helm of affairs at the GFA at that time search their conscience they would realise they wounded Ghana football.”

GHANAWEB will hold a Q&A interview with Attuquayefio in the next few days.